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Member Stories

Our members' accounts of life after sight loss, and how Scottish War Blinded has supported them are uplifting and inspiring. Find out more with insights into their lives.

Robert Reid was just 25 years old and on duty in Iraq, as a Lance-Corporal of the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland when an IED roadside bomb ignited, changing his life dramatically.He was gravely injured, and amongst other injuries, lost the vision in his right eye.

I was blinded by a hand grenade over 28 years ago in Germany during my service with the Gordon Highlanders. This was a very busy and difficult time as I was in and out of hospital undergoing multiple operations, and I didn’t join Scottish War Blinded at that time.

Veteran of the Royal Navy, ex-Petty Officer Derek O’Rouke's vision has shrunk to the size of a keyhole.Registered blind, he describes his vision as “like looking out through a keyhole,” Derek, 64 says “My left eye is completely blind,but if I sort of push my right eye up a bit and look through a magnifying glass, I have one small spot of vision left. "

After I lost my sight I became aware of Scottish War Blinded- but my perception was that they helped soldiers injured in wartime, and so I thought my time spent in the Royal Navy Reserves wouldn’t qualify me to become a member. A social worker from the old local society for the Blind heard that Scottish War Blinded had expanded their services and contacted them on my behalf. I was surprised to hear that I was eligible for membership- I had no idea and this was a pleasant surprise.

I first came across Scottish War Blinded in 2012 during Armed Forces Day in Princes Street Gardens. Elayne and I were innocently wandering around the exhibits and listening to the bands. Lovely! Then it happened, the moment my life changed. Above her tent was the sign Scottish War Blinded. She was looking at me, (sigh), she had noticed me, (sigh) she was coming over, (oh!) and she said ‘I notice you have a white cane’. (aw!).

I first heard about Scottish War Blinded when I visited the eye clinic after being registered blind. I was provided with information and said I’d be happy to provide my contact details. Scottish War Blinded Outreach Worker Dawn then came to see me, asked a few questions and the next thing I knew I was here at the Linburn Centre. A funny thing about my initial chat with Dawn was my ability to recall my Army Service Number so quickly…I was 20 when I was in the army… I’m now 80!

Dawn, the outreach worker, visited us at home and organised a visit to the Linburn Centre. I thought it was brilliant and enjoy my weekly visits where I spend most of my time in the gym. I’m qualified to coach 16 sports and was a professional footballer and squash player previously.